Count Down to Halloween

When I was little, we had an advent calendar that counted the days until Christmas. My mom had a way of making holidays so much fun. My sisters and I LOVED it! I wanted to be that kind of mom for my own kids so a few years ago, I found a kit that was similar to that advent calendar and made it so that my girls could enjoy counting down to Christmas like I did when I was little.

A few weeks ago I decided I was going to design and make a "Count Down to Halloween." I wanted my sisters to participate in the fun too and my little sister said that she would make one only if it didn't involve sewing. (Haha) So this is what I came up with. We had tons of fun making them this past weekend.

This "Count Down to Halloween" not only counts down the days, but has a fun activity for the kids to do hiding behind each number.

What you will need:

1- 12 x 24 board

31- 2.25" tags

Halloween Paper

Black Ink

Black, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Green, and White Vinyl

Ribbon

Mod Podge

Foam Brush

Glue Dots

Black Semi-Gloss Spray Paint

31 white nails

( I was super excited about this project and went a little crazy, but you could simplify it if you want. :) )

First, spray paint your board and one side of your 31 tags. (I forgot to get a picture of this, but I am sure you get the idea!)

Ask your super cool brother-in-law to measure, mark, and nail your 31 nails into your board.

Next you will need to cut your paper to fit the tags. I used my Silhouette to cut my paper. Mod Podge your paper to the side of the tag that you did not paint.


Let it dry completely. When dry, distress the edge using black ink.
Cut numbers out of black vinyl (once again, I used my Silhouette) and then apply the vinyl to the paper side of the tag.
Next, cut a piece of paper that is 4.5" x 12", distress the edge with the black ink and mod podge that to the top of your board. Dry completely. Then cut out your title "Count Down to Halloween" in black vinyl. Apply to the paper.

I also cut out 2 bats and 1 cat in black vinyl and put them with the title. So it looked like this when I was finished.I cut out various Halloween sayings and pictures from white, orange, yellow, green, and purple vinyl and put one on the back of each of the tags. I am going to have my girls flip the tag over as they go to keep track of what day it is and wanted something cute on the back.

So by the end of the 31 days in October, this is what it will look like.

Next, put your orange "Trick or Treat" vinyl on the bottom of your board. (I forgot to take a picture, again!)

Then you will want to add the ribbon to your tags. It makes them SO much cuter! I bought orange and black polk-a-dot ribbon. I cut them a few inches long.

Tied a knot in the middle.

And used fray check to prevent it from fraying on the edges, and then stuck them to my tags, just below the hole, using a glue dot.

I typed up a list of 31 fun activities and printed them out and used a 1 inch hole punch to punch them out. I used the big craft glue dots to adhere them to the board behind each tag. I wanted to make sure I would be able to pull them off and change activities if I wanted, so that is why I used the dots.

So as you pull the tag off, you can read the activity for the day, have fun with your kids, and have them flip the tag over so they can keep track of how close it is getting to Halloween.

And if your kids are anything like my 4-year-old, they will hardly be able to contain their excitement!

Hurry, you still have plenty of time to whip one up before October is here!
Happy Halloween!